Numbers 31:27

Numbers 31:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation:
• New International Version (NIV)Divide the spoils equally between the soldiers who took part in the battle and the rest of the community.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and divide the plunder into two parts between the warriors who went out to battle and all the congregation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and divide the plunder into two parts, between those who took part in the war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation.

Context of Numbers 31:27

25Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 26“You and Eleazar the priest and the leaders of the fathers’ households of the congregation are to take a count of the spoil of war that was captured, both people and livestock. Divide the spoil into two [equal] parts between those who were involved in the war, that is, those who went out to battle and all [the rest of] the congregation. 28Levy a tax for the Lord from the warriors who went to battle, one in five hundred of the persons, the oxen, the donkeys, and the flocks. 29Take this tribute from the warriors’ half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the Lord.

Numbers 31:27 word by word

וְחָצִ֙יתָ֙ אֶת־הַמַּלְק֔וֹחַ בֵּ֚ין תֹּפְשֵׂ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַיֹּצְאִ֖ים לַצָּבָ֑א וּבֵ֖ין כָּל־הָעֵדָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And divideחָצָהchâtsâh · to divideH2673
• the preyמַלְקוֹחַmalqôach · preyH4455
• between them that tookתָּפַשׂtâphaώ · to captureH8610
• the warמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• upon them, who went outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
• to battleצָבָאtsâbâ' tsebâ'âh · army: warH6635
• and between all the congregationעֵדָה‛êdâh · congregationH5712

Cross-references for Numbers 31:27

• Joshua 22:8and he said to them, “Return to your tents with great riches and with very much livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and with very many clothes; divide the spoil of your enemies with your brothers (fellow tribesmen).”
• 1 Samuel 30:4Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer].
• Psalms 68:12“The kings of the [enemies’] armies flee, they flee, And the beautiful woman who remains at home divides the spoil [left behind].”

Commentaries on Numbers 31:27

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-47Verses 25-47 Whatever we have, God justly claims a part. Out of the people's share God required one in fifty, but out of the soldiers' share only one in five hundred. The less opportunity we have of honouring God with personal services, the more should we give in money or value.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25-31They divided the plunder into two equal parts. Half went to those who fought against the Midianites and half to the Israelites who stayed behind (compare 1 Samuel 30:21–25). In this way, everyone participated in the conflict. Yet, the smaller group of soldiers each received a larger portion than the much larger group who stayed behind.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-3925-39. Take the sum of the prey that was taken--that is, of the captives and cattle, which, having been first lumped together according to ancient usage (Ex 15:9; Jud 5:30), were divided into two equal parts: the one to the people at large, who had sustained a common injury from the Midianites and who were all liable to serve: and the other portion to the combatants, who, having encountered the labors and perils of war, justly received the largest share…Read the comment

Topics related to Numbers 31:27

• Armies
• Priest
• Spoils

In the dictionaries

• Booty
• Prey
• Purify
• Abel-Shittim
• Balaam
• Moses
• Number
• Numbers, Book of
• Skill; Skilful
• Slave; Slavery

Commentaries on Numbers 31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings